Jack Ryan, the former president of the United States, is out of office, but not out of the loop about his brainchild, the “Campus” - a highly effective, counter-terrorism organization that operates outside the Washington hierarchy. But what Ryan doesn’t know is that his son, Jack Ryan, Jr., has joined his cousins, Brian and Dominic Caruso, at the shadowy Campus. While a highly effective analyst, young Ryan hungers for the action of a field agent.

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Publisher's Summary

Dead or Alive brings together - for the first time - an all-star cast of Clancy’s greatest characters in a joint showdown with global terrorists.

Jack Ryan, the former president of the United States, is out of office, but not out of the loop about his brainchild, the "Campus" - a highly effective, counter-terrorism organization that operates outside the Washington hierarchy. But what Ryan doesn't know is that his son, Jack Ryan, Jr., has joined his cousins, Brian and Dominic Caruso, at the shadowy Campus. While a highly effective analyst, young Ryan hungers for the action of a field agent.

The Campus has now turned their sights on the Emir, the number-one terrorist threat to Western civilization. A reclusive figure and mastermind of vicious terrorist acts, the Emir has eluded capture by the world's law-enforcement agencies. But now - with the help of ex-CIA agent John Clark and protégé Marine Colonel Ding Chavez - the Campus is in on the hunt.

In a fast-paced, intense performance, film and television star Lou Diamond Phillips narrates the story of their mission - to bring in the Emir, dead or alive.

Lou Diamond Philips?! MORE! I've been a member of Audible since it started, and I can say this for the first time- "LDP reads this book to me better than I could read it to myself". LDP has played enough military and police roles in movies that he understands where TC is coming from (I'd love to see him in a movie as Ding Chavez!) I usually read the ebook first, and if it's good, listen to it on audible later while I'm driving or doing work around the house. I deleted the ebook this time!

I've read every Clancy book and have liked most of them. He has an undeniable style and finesse. I must caution you; if you're squeamish to the military or have a liberal bone in your body you should probably click away from this page with haste. As a veteran I can tell you that Clancy's books are realistic, right down to the thoughts and attitudes of the troops and analysts. This book was no exception. Welcome back Clancy, John, Chavez, and the Ryans, and 'well met' to the new players.

I've got every Tom Clancy book Audible has done, but they all suffer - BADLY - from Michael Pritchard's narration.

Lou Diamond Phillips does a superb job of performing this latest Clancy thriller.

Don't be deceived by thinking the Lou Diamond Phillips, the actor you see in movies and on TV is the extent of his dramatic range. He is absolutely wonderful at capturing the characters, accents, genders, etc in this Audiobook

Lou Diamond Phillips did a super job narrating this story. I had read or listen to all of Tom Clancy's books. Glad to see him writing again I had almost given up hope for any new books from him. The only negative part of the book was the pushing of right wing politics. I would prefer sticking to the story and leave out the politics. I do like the pro military story he tell and all the military detail is great as well as his in-depth story of analysis techniques of the CIA and related agencies. Hope the next book comes along soon.

Great read. Lou Diamond Phillips does an excellent job narrating. He has a masterful command of pronunciation of names in many languages. Fully enjoyed the insight into the workings of the "spy" world. Makes me believe there's a place and time for "torture".

Tom Clancy is at his most excellent - true to form on this book. Same old players chasing new, sneaky bad guys. You get detail without getting gore. The current headlines weave into the story with just enough scare to keep you reading. Ties all the ends together. Just a great book.

I had a problem with the characters and all their locations and what each was bringing to the story. Some parts of it were just too 'wordy' but overall it was a good and down right scary plot. Narration by Phillips was very well done. I hope he can in time be as polished as G. Guidell.

I graduated from the War college in 1984. Full of piss and vinegar, I went to Korea. Enroute, I read Clancy's novel. Red October. I was uneasy the entire flight, that someone would discover I was reading classified information, so close was it to compartmentalized information I had obtained from the college. In Dead or Alive, I got the same feeling. "The Campus" a new below the horizon security and clandestine operations entity, is self funded. John Clark, Dingo Chavez, and Jack Ryan's son Jack Jr. combine their skills to keep the Jihadists from throwing our country into turmoil. In his particular style, Clancy takes on the U.S. intelligence community, by mostly ignoring them. If your heart isn't palpitating after the first chapter. You don't know anything about soldiering.

Clancy seems to have a finger on the international pulse between Washington, the clandestine services and our enemies abroad. I have to remind myself that this is fiction and it of course is, but either Clancy's imagination is just incredibly fertile or he has sources in key place that give him classified insights into the goings on around the world. I suspect its both. Regardless, he continues to give us a rocking good story with favorite old characters and new ones within the context of a plausible story line minus a few superhuman demonstrations....but after all it is fiction.

Lou Diamond Phillips is the perfect reader and never misses the tone or the story and it's characters. He does "Russian", "English", and a variety other voices like.... a really accomplished actor.

The continuation of John Clark and Ding Chavez after "Rainbow Six" and the forced retirement of both of them. I have really enjoyed the story lines in the "Jack Ryan" universe of John Clark in particular. Especially since the book "Without Remorse."

What does Lou Diamond Phillips bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Lou Diamond Phillips was born to be an actor/narrator. His performane of Tom Clancy's novels as been great entertainment. His ability to create unique inflextion of his voice for each character and situation causes the written word to become alive.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had had the time when I started this book I would have sat in a cozy chair in a calm quiet room with a cup of coffee and just listened until the end. But atlas, life is not perfect.

A very good, fast paced Clancy Novel that is very well narrated...if you are a Clancy fan this will be well worth it.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

J. M. Toy

Bangor, N Ireland

6/7/11

Overall

"The Ryan clan strike again"

As usual an excellent book and well up to Clancy's standard. Each time you read his stories you can't wait for the sequel and this one is no different. The story line is very pertinent and credible in to-days situation and the action/reaction of politicians in the story seems to coincide with the actions of so many to-day. The question left hanging is will Jack Ryan regain the Presidency!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Sarah

LeicseterUnited Kingdom

1/6/11

Overall

"Disappointing"

I'm giving it 3 stars because the narration was excellent however the story left something to be desired. If you're looking for a thriller with Jack Ryan (former President) you're out of luck. In this book he's more of a guest character popping up for a scene or two every now and again.

From starting off very well the plot takes a long time to develop. I found myself losing interest in the story which is sad because the I thought the idea was quite good and some of the characters quite interesting. All of the zing found in some of the previous books in the series is missing.

I found myself fast forwarding to get to the end. In the end I skipped about three hours and I doubt I missed anything important. I've read elsewhere that this book is around 950 pages, well they could have cut that by at least half and the book would have been better for it. This is not a Clancy book that I'll listen to again but then it's not really a Clancy book, it was 'co-written'.beta inappVoteInfo

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Alin

Dalkeith, United Kingdom

4/10/13

Overall

"Clancy Reinvigorated!"

With these recent releases, Clancy has collaborated with other writers to bring a new series to life, following Jack Ryan Jr and his journey into the world of black ops, espionage and off the books wetwork.

The 3 books in this series so far are narrated with skill by Lou Diamond Phillips with his years of experience bringing these characters to life and making them instantly recognisable as the stories unfold.

This run of stories following the exploits of some old and some new characters under the guise of 'The Campus' are gripping and exciting. Any Clancy fan will enjoy them and am sure you'll agree that, with his collaborations, he has reinvigorated his storytelling.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Mr

Faversham, United Kingdom

12/23/12

Overall

"Gripping Listening for any Clancy Fan"

This story carries on the story of Jack Junior. The new Agency still in its infancy gets a couple of new well loved members, in a story line that leaves you physically hating an old Ryanverse character, brings you to the end of a story that leaves your ears wanting more of the same.

Superbly read by Lou Diamond Phillips, you will find yourself hoping that you get stuck in traffic or on the train just so you can listen to a bit more of this gripping adventure. The daily commute has become the most fun part of my working day!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

DAMON

Frome, United Kingdom

12/26/11

Overall

"Another good listen from Tom Clancy"

Title says it all really, really enjoyed this book, can't wait for the next one I can download and listen to Highly recommended to anyone as LDP is a fantastic narrator (as well as a fairly good actor!!!). Thanks.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

angela

GLASGOW, United Kingdom

11/22/11

Overall

"Fantastic"

One of the best audio books I have listened to so far, I could really relate to the characters and the story line was very nicely done.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Dave

Harrogate, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom

1/30/11

Overall

"Dead or Alive"

This book itself includes a number of well know characters from Tom Clancy's earlier works.This combined with a very well crafted annotation by Lou Diamond Philips makes it a very enjoyable listen

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Amy

SydneyUnited Kingdom

12/14/10

Overall

"Great narrator"

Great read. Lou Diamond Phillips does an excellent job narrating.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

John

12/31/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"A must for any Clancy fan..."

I have been a fan of Tom Clancy for years and have read the classics(rainbow 6, hunt for read October, Clear and Present Danger etc) and whilst it is clearly a different style, the pace and essence of it can not help but grip a true fan. The era of Ryan/Clark lives on!!

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